Even as the MC had vowed to act tough to ensure residents park correctly in Sector 17, when it came to execution, only 22 challans were issued to wrongly parked vehicles on Thursday. The enforcement wing of the civic body issued two challans, the state transport authority eight challans and the traffic police issuing 12 fines.

A total of 22 challans were issued on Thursday, with the traffic police accounting for 12. Officials of the State Transport Authority (in pic) handed out eight.(Sanjeev Sharma/HT Photo)

Even as the MC had vowed to act tough to ensure residents park correctly in Sector 17, when it came to execution, only 22 challans were issued to wrongly parked vehicles on Thursday. The enforcement wing of the civic body issued two challans, the state transport authority eight challans and the traffic police issuing 12 fines.

Sources said wide-spread criticism of the announcement to challan vehicles and confusion over whether the MC had these powers led officials to develop cold feet.

The two car owners, who were challaned on Thursday, were allowed to leave after a payment of Rs 1,000 as against the announced Rs 3,500. With the MC’s maximum challaning limit fixed at Rs 500, Rs 500 were shown under the head of towing fee.

MULTI-LEVEL PARKING SEES 600 CARS

On Thursday, more than 600 cars used the multi-level parking. Over the past three months, only 300 vehicles have used the facility per day.

POLITICS AT PLAY

Meanwhile, all Congress councillors have demanded that a general meeting of the House be convened on August 17 to frame a policy on the multilevel parking in Sector 17.

“Mayor Arun Sood had violated the democratic tradition and norms by deciding to levy such a hefty fine. Increasing the challan amount manifold is illegal,” read a party press note.

There is opposition within for the mayor as well.

Senior BJP leader Harmohan Dhawan said, “The decision of a hefty fine reeks of shortsightedness and ad hocism. They have created fear in residents’ minds. A concrete policy on multi-level parking should have been prepared before the inauguration of the project.”

Former Congress mayor, Subhash Chawla said, “Challaning is not the solution to parking woes. The MC should come out with a concrete policy.”

‘MC’S POWERS TO CHALLAN ARE LIMITED’

Former law officer with the MC, Ashok K Gautam told HT, “Under the MC Act, the civic body can only challan vehicles parked on berms or on land it owns. The MC cannot challan vehicles parked on roads. This is the duty of traffic police.”